Five Ways to Help Fight Illiteracy
March 18, 2008 · Written by Melissa Donovan
photo credit: jinglejammer
Illiteracy is a serious planet-wide problem. The only way that we, as a global community, can fight illiteracy is to band together and tackle it head-on. It all starts with one person. One person who has the passion, the empathy, and the desire to help. That person could be you. It’s not hard. Here are five things you can do to help fight illiteracy.
1. Be an advocate
Learn about illiteracy and then spread the word. Let others know that it’s a real problem, one that contributes to crime and poverty and one that continues to oppress people. Share news and information, and always encourage reading.
2. Write about it on your blog
If you have a blog or any other platform, you can use it to help inform the public. Writing about illiteracy is another way to be an advocate and spread the word. Encourage people to pitch in and help.
3. Donate to the cause
Organizations like Reading is Fundamental could really use your help. If you can, donate money. Or, donate your books. You can also bring books to your local library, or almost any other donation center.
4. Volunteer
Time is precious, but that’s all some of us have to give. Imagine the joy of teaching a child letters and words. Imagine the wonder you could witness teaching an adult to read. Contact your local library to find out about reading programs in your area.
5. Give the gift of books
A book is a wonderful gift to give and to receive. When you give a book as a gift, you’re giving so much more — the joys of storytelling and literature. Here’s a tip though: make sure your book gift is at the proper reading level for the person you’ll be giving it to, and also be sure you choose something of interest to that person.
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Excellent post, Melissa. As an educator I see firsthand the difficulties people face when they cannot read. It is sad to see.
Giving kids a love of learning early is the best gift you can give. It doesn’t matter if they want to read Captain Underpants or Charles Dickens, as long as they are reading!
Great information on tools to help fight illiteracy! Thanks for mentioning RIF, the oldest and largest children’s and family nonprofit literacy organization in the United States. Private donations help us provides 4.5 million children with 16 million new, free books and literacy resources each year.
I also urge you to sign on to the “Read With Kids Challenge” a partnership RIF has with US Airways to help children discover the joy of reading. Check out readwithkidschallenge.com!
Great post as usual! I used to work with a deaf illiteracy group. Probably the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. Unfortunately, the group dissolved from lack of funding. But I’m of the mind that our time is our most valuable thing to give. Time and skills are sometimes a better gift than money, and more rewarding to give. Really enjoyed this.
@Drew, Thank you! When I think about how much I read as a child and then realize that millions of people can’t have the experience of stories and learning, it astounds me. I’m glad there are so many reading programs, but we need more.
@Kim, Thank you so much for stopping by. I’ve been hearing about RIF for years, but only recently started visiting the web site and learning more. I’m happy to promote RIF and the wonderful work they are doing to help people through education. Thanks for all that you do.
@Amy, I agree that time is the best gift, particularly with reading because one of the greatest needs is surely finding people to teach others to read.
Amen sister. I feel really strongly about this and am happy to see this as your focus this month.
i’m with the Southern California Library Literacy
Network. In California, public libraries provide
free tutoring, volunteer or refer to:
SCLLN - http://www.sclln.org
BALIT - http://www.literacynet.org/balit/
California Library Literacy Services,State Lib.
http://libraryliteracy.org
Thanks
@Jaden, It would be nice to live in a world where everyone can read and enjoy learning and literature!
@wbyrne, Thanks for sharing your literacy links
Good stuff, Melissa. It’s easy, especially for folks that write all day long, to forget that there are people who can’t even read.
There are selfish reasons, too, why writers should be concerned about literacy; the fewer readers there are, the smaller the market for our work.
@Bob, I actually have a hard time relating to the idea of not being able to read. I just can’t imagine! Then again, I can’t even relate to why people who can read choose not to. Many people prefer television. I like a good show every now and then, but nothing beats reading.